3 Days Datong Culture Discovery Tour
Tour Overview
Datong, located in Shanxi Province in northern China with rich historical heritage, is a great place to explore Chinese culture. The 3-day Datong tour begins at the Yungang Grottoes, a world heritage site and the NO.1 attraction for Datong travel. Before that, if you arrive early, you can go up the Datong City Wall and take a stroll to enjoy the panoramic view of the city.
Datong Clay Forest is a special attraction where you will see independent yet interconnected earth walls, such as generals, tigers, or girls. Black Myth: Wukong is a game, world popular in 2024. We will also explore scenes in the game, including Huayan Temple, Hanging Temple, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda.
Travel destination: Datong
Suitable for: Culture Explorers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Explore the magnificent Yungang Grottoes and understand the significance of some important grottoes and Buddha statues.
- Appreciate the nine distinct dragons made of colored glaze on the 45-meter long Nine Dragon Screen Wall.
- Explore the scenes from the globally popular game ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ – Hanging Temple and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda.
- Take a leisurely walk on the restored Datong City Wall on your own.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Zhengzhou
Welcome to join us on the 3-day Shanxi tour to Datong! Datong, the second largest city in Shanxi Province, has been a battleground for military strategists throughout history and is known as the "key to the north". Upon your arrival, your private driver is waiting for you at the airport / train station. He/she will then drive you to your hotel in the downtown area.
After sunset, you are recommended to take a leisurely walk on the restored Datong City Wall. It has a long history, dating back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). The city walls we see today were built by a great general of the Ming Dynasty on the basis of the old cities of Han, Wei, Tang, Liao, Jin, and Yuan. You can go up to Qianlou (ä¹¾ę„¼), one of the four corner towers, a higher point to get a city view.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Datong
City Wall of Datong - Day 2: Datong Highlights TourMarvel at the Ancient Stone Statues and Explore Historic Temple
After breakfast, your Datong tour takes you to explore the essence of the city's culture and history. Our first stop is Yungang Grottoes, formerly known as Shifo (Stone Buddha) Temple. Located at the southern foot of Wuzhou Mountain, 17 kilometers west of Datong City, it is one of the famous grottoes in China.
The excavation of Yungang Grottoes lasted for about 150 years and went through dynasties such as Northern Wei, Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, and Tang. There are currently 45 main caves, 252 niches, and more than 59,000 stone statues. It is widely recognized as a treasure trove of Chinese grotto art. Your tour guide will take you to understand the significance of some important grottoes and Buddha statues.
Yungang Grottoes In the afternoon, you will be transferred to visit Nine Dragon Screen Wall, the oldest and largest of Nine Dragon Screen in China. Constructed in 1392 during the Ming Dynasty, It depicts 9 distinct dragons made of colored glaze.
Nine-Dragon Screen Wall Next, be guided to visit Huayan Temple. It is the largest and best-preserved temple of the Liao and Jin Dynasty. You will explore the Main Hall and admire the largest colored glazed chiwens in Chinese architecture. In the late afternoon, drive for 40 minutes to Datong Clay Forest. You can see the spectacular geological landforms, the Paleolithic cultural site, and even the grassland scenery!
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Datong
Huayan Temple - Day 3: Departure from DatongVisit the Scenes from the 2024 Globally Popular Game
After breakfast, it's time to explore the scenes from the globally popular 2024Ā gameĀ 'Black Myth: Wukong'.Ā The first stop is the amazing Hanging Temple, also named Xuankong Temple, located on a cliff above the ground 75 meters (246 feet). Built in the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD), it is supported by wooden beams inserted in the cliff, showing an impression that it is suspended in the air.
Hanging Temple Then, transfer you to visit the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, which is the oldest existing all-wood pagoda in China. If you are an ancient architecture lover, the pagoda is a can-not-be-missed site. Your guide will lead you to appreciate its complex design and structure, explore the inside of the pagoda, and glimpse the history and culture of the pagoda.
After that, your tour guide and driver will take you to the airport/train station. Your 3-day Datong tour ends here.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: N/A
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
